Audi Brussels awarded production of 2nd full electric vehicle model

Audi announced on June 21 the future launch of the new e-tron Sportback model to be manufactured by its Brussels plant from 2019. This makes it the second 100% electric model entrusted to the Brussels site. The Audi e-tron, the first electric SUV, will come out of this same manufacturing plant already in 2018.

Strengthened electromobility policy

“By launching the production of the Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi proves just how much the make is supporting electromobility. This second electric vehicle will allow us to optimize the production capacity of the Brussels site,” explains Prof. Dr. Hubert Walt, Member of the Management Board and responsible for production and logistics.

The Audi e-tron Sportback concept revealed at the beginning of 2017 at the Shanghai Motor Show is the basis of this project. This versatile electric Gran Turismo coupé comes with a 320 kW electric drive.

More flexibility and job security up to 2020

The award of a second electric model to the Brussels site is the successful outcome to negotiations on more flexibility and job security until 2020. Thanks to this agreement between the Management of Audi Brussels and the social partners, the Brussels site will meet AUDI AG’s request to produce greater Audi A1 volumes over the 2017-2018 period.

In addition to adjusting break times, the plant Management and the unions agreed on a temporary extension of evening shift working hours in order to be able to produce the requested volumes of Audi A1 in 2017. In 2018, the increase in the Audi A1 output will be absorbed by adjusted break times as well as by temporarily amended working schedules.

Patrick Danau, General Director for Production, Technology and Logistics, and also spokesman of the Audi Brussels Management: “AUDI AG’s expectations have been met by the Audi Brussels plant thanks to concerted flexibility measures. We are delighted that a joint approach between the Plant Management, executives, social partners and staff has allowed us to attract a second model to Brussels and secure long-term employment in Belgium.”

The Audi Brussels sites employs some 3,000 workers who, from next year, will actively contribute to the development of electromobility. Indeed, from 2018, the Brussels plant will manufacture for the whole world the very first full electric SUV of the make with the four rings. The plant will also have its own battery production unit.